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New Canada Post contracts fail to end looming strike threat

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, representing 50,000 of the Crown agency’s employees, says the new contract offers presented by Canada Post on October 3 fall short of what’s needed to reach a deal, according to the latest report from The Canadian Press.

The new proposals come after Canada Post and CUPW heads met over the weekend in hopes of preventing a work stoppage ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season.

According to The Canadian Press, Canada Post says its proposals include improvements to pay, benefits and job security, but CUPW says the contracts offer limited job security, particularly for rural and suburban carriers. The union also says Canada Post rejected demands that those same carriers get paid an hourly rate – and for all hours worked – and that the corporation guarantee minimum hours.

The two sides have been bargaining separate contracts for the carrier’s urban and rural employees for nine months, mainly over wages and working conditions.

Failure to reach agreements with the agency’s employees could result in a strike or lockout once either side gives 72 hours notice.

— With files from The Canadian Press